Drum having internal double acting control to provide variable pitch

Abstract

A drum with adjustable tension on the drum head in which the adjustment mechanism includes a pedal operating a device adapted to pull a spider within the drum. The legs of the spider are pivoted on the drum body and extend to the exterior. A ring pressing up beneath the head in the interior of the body of the drum is operably attached to the spider legs interior of the pivot point between the leg and the drum body, and members attached to the drum head exterior of the body are pivoted to the legs exterior of the pivot point so that a double acting tension is applied by use of the pedal.

I claim: 
     
       1. Drum means including a drum body and a drum head stretched over said body, stand means attached to said body and adapted to hold it, said stand means including legs and a central post means supported by said legs, pedal mounting means on said post means, a pedal pivotally mounted on said mounting means, control means including a disc means mounted within said body and operably connected to said pedal, lever means pivoted to said body on a pivot axis adjacent to said body, said lever means extending adjacent to and adapted to be engaged by said disc means, each of said levers extending through an opening in said body and interior and exterior link means attached to each of said levers, said exterior link means being outside of said body and attached to the periphery of said drum head, and said interior link means being within said body and connected to said lever means at a point on the opposite side of said pivot axis from said exterior link means whereby tilting of said lever means about said pivotal axis causes said interior link means to move in a direction opposite to said exterior link means, said interior link means being connected to head tensioning means operably engaged with said drum head interior of said body to press against said head while the exterior link means is pulling on said periphery. 
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 in which said head tensioning means between said interior link means and said head is through ring means connected to said interior links and engaging said head in close proximity to the interior line of said body adjacent said head. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1 in which said operable connection between said disc means and said pedal is effected by lever means pivotally mounted on said drum body, the operating part of said lever means being engaged with said disc means and the operated portion of said lever being connected to said pedal whereby movement of said pedal is transmitted through said lever to move said disc means. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 3 in which the connection between said pedal and said lever is made by means of flexible tension means extending within said center post means from said pedal to said lever. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1 in which said operable connection between said disc means and said pedal is effected by electrical means including a motor, operating means between said motor and said disc means whereby operation of said motor will create linear movement of said flat means and said pedal being operably connected to the operating member of electrical control means, said electrical control means being electrically connected to said motor whereby movement of said operating member by said pedal will control the operation of said motor.